News

Workshops on basketry and flint at Exeter University

We would like to inform you about the two workshops this term at Exeter University on basketry (rush willow and other materials) and flintknapping. It is meant for OpenArch Partners.

Note that  Dr Bradley has pitched the latter at 'improvers' because it is impossible to get a good experience with enough flint for the three days if everyone is a beginnner.

Any queries please get back to Linda Hurcombe. The information is given below. If you think you might send somebody then let us know and we will reserve hotel rooms; if you know you definitely won't send somebody then please let us know as this will help our planning.

See for more http://openarch.eu/work-packages/activities/experimental-action-rush-cu… and http://openarch.eu/work-packages/activities/march-2015-exeter-dialogue-…

 

Exeter Dialogue with Science Workshop 4 

Learning Craft Skills:  Basketry and related plant management

23-27th Feb 2015

 All meals and a hotel will be provided for Openarch partners sending participants.
 

Mon 23 Feb Travel day

Meet at the hotel at 7.00pm for a short walk to an evening meal in Exeter city centre overlooking the cathedral

Discuss preferences for Wednesday

 

Tues 24 Feb

Basketmaking with Linda Lemieux at her workshop on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. whole day session

We will provide lunch (bread and cheeses) and tea and coffee. Bring warm clothes, strong footwear and rainproofs.

9.00 Leave hotel and travel by minibus to Chagford

Overview: Discuss range of materials and key technologies of coil, stake and strand and frame baskets. See examples of basketry traditions from around thwe world in LL’s workshop.

Managing materials for basketry: Tour of willowbeds  and stores of willow, rush and other harvested materials (on site). Discussion of management for willowbeds and practical work. Discussion of management of rush beds in a river in Somerset.  (Linda Lemieux harvests these in June/July using a coracle)

Rush basketry.  Start with mat making and progress to small basket. Starting techniques, use of moulds, finishing borders.

c 4.15 Leave workshop and return to hotel c 17:00.

6.00 pm Meet Hotel travel by taxi to Evening meal in riverside local pub

Return to hotel by 8.30pm

 

Wed 25 Feb

Basketry and cordage technologies

9.00 Meet at hotel and walk up to University

9.30 -13.00  2.00-5.00 Flexible programme: opportunities for

further practical work similar to yesterday, such as finishing off project.

develop different projects e.g. rush combing; twining, looping and other cordage technologies;

see and participate in willow and rush management on campus;  interaction with students;

library research materials available;

possibilities to visit museum which has a lot of ethnographic material.

Tea and coffee available on demand: Lunch 13-14.00 Bread and cheeses

Possibility to attend a talk at 8.00 pm Into the Stone Age presentation at Dartington Hall (if prospective participants want to do this please e-mail L.Hurcombe@ex.ac.ukas soon as possible as the tickets will sell out.

 Meet at the hotel at 7.00pm for a short walk to an evening meal in Exeter city centre 

 

Thurs 26 Feb

Basketmaking with Linda Lemieux at her workshop on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. whole day session

We will provide lunch (bread and cheeses) and tea and coffee. Bring warm clothes, strong footwear and rainproofs.

9.00 Leave hotel and travel by minibus to Chagford

Start new projects reinforcing techniques learned previously or working in new materials or new technologies.

 Leave workshop c 4.15 and return to hotel c 17:00.

 Meet Hotel 7.00 pm to walk to evening meal in Exeter city centre 


Fri 27 Feb Travel day

 

Exeter Dialogue with Science Workshop 5 

Learning Craft Skills:  Flintknapping and related activities (for improvers)

16-20th March 2015

All meals and a hotel will be provided for Openarch partners sending participants.

 

Mon 16th March Travel day

Meet at the hotel at 7.00pm for a short walk to an evening meal in Exeter city centre overlooking the cathedral

Discuss skill levels and preferences for Wednesday

 

Tues 17 March

whole day session

We will provide lunch (bread and cheeses) and tea and coffee. Bring warm clothes, strong footwear and rainproofs as some knapping may be undertaken outside. Bring your own hammerstones/billets if you can

9.00 Meet at hotel and walk up to the university

Overview: Discuss range of materials; key technologies;  See examples of  traditions from around the world..

Practiceknapping working on specific objectives

c 17:00. Leave university and return to hotel

6.00 pm Meet Hotel travel by taxi to Evening meal in riverside local pub

Return to hotel by 8.30pm

 

Wed 18 March

Basketry and cordage technologies

9.00 Meet at hotel and walk up to University

9.30 -13.00  2.00-5.00 Flexible programme: opportunities for

further practical work similar to yesterday,

develop different projects

using stone tools

interaction with students;

library research materials available;

possibilities to visit museum

Tea and coffee available on demand: Lunch 13-14.00 Bread and cheeses

Meet at the hotel at 7.00pm for a short walk to an evening meal in Exeter city centre

 

Thurs 19 March

Practical knapping whole day session

We will provide lunch (bread and cheeses) and tea and coffee. Bring warm clothes, strong footwear and rainproofs.

9.00 Leave hotel and walk to University

Start new projects reinforcing techniques learned previously or working in new materials or new technologies.

 Leave workshop c 4.15 and return to hotel c 17:00.

 Meet Hotel 7.00 pm to walk to evening meal in Exeter city centre 

 

Fri 20 March Travel day